The Heritage Foundation

HERITAGE FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES BALL CHAIRS

Two of Nashville’s most notable event planners are volunteering their time and talents to create a magical Heritage Ball on October 2, 2010 at a new location, according to Heritage Foundation Executive Director Mary Pearce. The Chairs are Anita Hogan and Hugh Howser, owners of H Three Events.

“This pair of event professionals will produce a spectacular ball. Our 37th annual black-tie gala will be one for the history books,” says Pearce.

The longest-running black-tie event in Williamson County, this year’s gala will be staged at the Eastern Flank Battlefield Park in Franklin.

“This is a new venue for the Heritage Ball and is located adjacent to Historic Carnton Plantation,” said Pearce. The Eastern Flank Battlefield Park was saved by a match of private citizens and City of Franklin donations. This effort was led by Franklin’s Charge, a nonprofit group made up of several community preservation leaders.

Pearce says the pair of chairs brings unique experience and talents to the job of planning and executing this event which annually draws more than 600 black-tie and gown-clad guests to the event which features cocktails, dinner and dancing.

Hogin and Howser, partners and owners of H Three Events, a full-service event company, bring their professional experience to the ball.

Hogin has been a dynamic player in the country music field. After graduating from Vanderbilt University, she began her career working with the legendary "Cowboy" Jack Clement in music production and publishing.

She also worked with producer Allan Reynolds and was instrumental in launching the career of Grammy Winner Crystal Gayle. She later formed the international publishing company, Picalic Music Group, with Roger Cook and Ralph Murphy before establishing the International Artists Management firm with partner Ted Hacker.

During that time, she launched the careers of multiple CMA Award winners Diamond Rio as well as chart topping acts such as Darryl Worley and Mark Wills among others.

Most recently, she drew on her expertise in budgets and logistics to form H Three Events, a full-service event company, in partnership with Nashville lifestyle expert Hugh Howser.

As president of H Three, she has designed and managed high-profile weddings, corporate parties and charity events in Nashville and Williamson County. She counts organizations such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Leadership Music, the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, the Tennessee River Run, the Oasis Center and Nashville Cares among her list of clients.

She is the mother of two, both of whom are graduates of Brentwood Academy. She currently serves on the board of Source For Women, Mental Health Association of Middle Tennessee and has previously served on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Oak Hill School and Brentwood Academy Parents Association.

She volunteers for the Oasis Center, Tennessee River Run, American Freedom Festival, First Presbyterian Church and the Heritage Foundation.

Howser, a Nashville native, has established himself as a premiere event designer and lifestyle expert, according to Pearce.

“Hugh has a distinctive eye for detail and boundless creative energy,” she said. “His success rests in his ability to put a unique twist on each event and create an experience unlike anything his clients and their guests have seen before.”

He joined forces with Hogin in 2007. As vice president, he creates and executes a wide range of gatherings, including high-profile weddings and major philanthropic fundraisers. He often orchestrates political functions for U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn.

Within the past year, he has designed events for Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Monroe Carell, Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, the Oasis Center and Nashville Cares.

His recent wedding design for a prominent Nashville musician earned high praise in the pages of People magazine. He has also worked with Warner Brothers pictures, executing the Nashville premiere of the major motion picture “August Rush”.

“Both Anita and Hugh are extremely creative; they are experts at budgeting, logistics, and taking their clients’ wildest dreams from imagination to reality,” says Heritage Foundation Board President David Garrett.” “They are talented and hard working, and they are determined to make this year’s Ball an over-the-top affair. All proceeds from the gala benefit the many programs of the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County."